This November, enjoy family fun in Kansas City with live theater for all ages ranging from classic literary masterpieces to new live theater productions with dazzling music and special-effects, then wrap up autumn traditions and begin to prepare for the Holiday Season with Kansas City's Christmas traditions!
10 Top Picks for November in Kansas City!
Yo Gabba Gabba Live!
- When, Where, What: Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE! will be at the Music Hall on Nov. 6 with shows at 2 & 5 PM. For complete tour, ticket information and VIP packages, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com. Children under one year of age will be admitted free to sit on a parent’s lap.
- Why We LOVE It: Yo Gabba Gabba Live! is going on the road again! Kansas City Kids loved last year's show, and once again, it's time to dance with an all new show. Come see all your favorites like DJ Lance Rock, Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex, and Toodee, with special guests Hip Hop Legend Biz Markie and Razzle Dazzle Superstar Leslie Hall. Fans of Yo Gabba Gabba won't want to miss this live musical performance that will leave kids dancing in the aisles!
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
- When, Where, What: If you Give a Moose a Muffin live children's performance on November 9 at 10 am & 11:30 am at the Folly Theater. Tickets are only $6.00/ea. 816.842.5500 www.follytheater.com
- Why We LOVE It: If your children love Laura Joffe Numeroff's hilarious "If You" books, they'll love this laugh-out-loud stage version of the popular book. See what kind of havoc a moose can make. If a big, hungry moose comes to visit, you might give him a muffin to make him feel at home. If you give him a muffin, he'll want some jam to go with it. When he's eaten all your muffins, he'll want to go to the store to get some more muffin mix. In this fun sequel to The Magik Theatre's 2009 runaway hit If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, the young host is again run ragged by a surprise guest.
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Musical
- When, Where, What: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Musical showing Nov. 17-20 at Trilogy Center for the Cultural Arts. 913.254.4444 www.trilogyculturalarts.com
- Why We LOVE It: Trilogy's productions are always family friendly and full of magical surprises and this fall's musical production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe promises to delight with magic, mystery, and adventure. You will enter the magical land of Narnia, the land behind the wardrobe door where animals talk, trees can walk, a white witch covers the landscape with snow and bewitches you with Turkish Delight, and where a mighty lion rescues you whenever you get into trouble. C.S. Lewis' first tale of Narnia is loved by children and adults the world over and now comes to vibrant life on the stage in Irita Kutchmy's musical adaptation. Just open the door. You'll never believe what you'll find!
Two Shows: How I Became a Pirate & Willy Wonka Jr.
- When, Where, What: The Culture House presents How I Became a Pirate & Willy Wonka Jr. Nov. 17-19 at the YouthFront Auditorium. 913.393.3141 www.culturehouse.com
- Why We LOVE It: Known for family-friendly entertainment and creativity in their productions, this fall Culture House presents two ONE-ACT musicals: How I Became a Pirate and Willy Wonka Jr. You'll love the repertory style of the shows, each with their own cast, making for a fun variety-style show loved by all ages!
ArcAttack
- When, Where, What: ArcAttack showing Nov. 18 at 8:00 PM at Yardley Hall at the Johnson County Community College. 913.469.4445 and www.jccc.edu/theseries
- Why We LOVE It: You've never seen anything like it! A dash of metal served with a side of pop Science and the arts intersect when ArcAttack uses high-tech wizardry to generate a truly “electrifying” performance. Two custom-engineered Tesla Coils throw out electrical arcs up to 12 feet long – each one interacts with robotic drums whilehigh-powered LEDs flash bright colors. ArcAttack’s six members churn out rhythmic instrumental melodies.
The KC Rep presents, A Christmas Carol
- When, Where, What: An annual holiday tradition returns as the Kansas City Rep presents A Christmas Carol showing Nov. 19-Dec. 26 at the Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center at UMKC. Appropriate for All Ages. Call 816.235.2700 or visit www.kcrep.org for tickets
- Why We LOVE It: In honor of last year’s 30th anniversary of A Christmas Carol, the Rep's venerable holiday production received a “make over.” While staying true to the original Rep show we all love, the set was rebuilt to include a revolving stage and other theatre magic that surprised and delighted audiences. For more than three decades the Rep’s enchanting holiday show has captured the true meaning of Christmas for many Kansas City families, who year after year are inspired by its strong family values and message of hope and redemption. This year, fall in love with the Christmas classic all over again as the Rep adds new magic and sparkle to the tale!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
- When, Where, What: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is showing Nov. 22-December 30, 2011 on the H&R Block City Stage on level B at Union Station through Theatre for Young America. The single ticket price is $8.00. Groups of 15 or more are $5.00 per person with a reservation. 816.460.2083 www.tya.org/shows_Acurrent.htm
- Why We LOVE It: Your family will love this hilarious Christmas classic is adapted from the best selling book by Barbara Robinson. A mom is putting on a Christmas pageant and is forced to cast probably the worst kids in history—the Herdmans. As rehearsals ensue, mayhem and fun collide to teach everyone the true spirit of Christmas.
Christmas at Crown Center
- When, Where, What: Christmas at Crown Center (816.274.8444 www.crowncenter.com) is a Kansas City tradition and this November kicks off the holiday season with many festive events:
- Mayor's Christmas Tree: Arriving at Nov. 3 at 9:00 AM. The first sign of the holiday season arrives at Crown Center, the culmination of a journey from Oregon. The 100-foot-tall tree arrives at 9 a.m. on November 3 and is put into its stand at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, November 4. On November 25 at 5:30pm The 100-foot-tall tree is lit!
- Crown Center Ice Terrace Opening Day FREE Admission: Nov. 4 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on opening day! Regular admission: $6, or free for adults over age 60 and children age 4 and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. Regular hours through January: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday. February and March hours: Noon to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; Noon to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday.
- Santa's Crayola Christmas Land Nov. 25-Dec. 31. Children can play on super-sized Crayola® products, while waiting to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. Santa is in residence November 25 through December 24. The Crayola Christmas Land play area is open through December 31. Photos with Santa are available for a fee, or guests can bring their own cameras.
- Santa's Arrival at Crown Center Nov. 25, 10:00 AM, Crown Center. Santa Claus arrives in a horse-drawn carriage to kick off the holiday season. Perry the Penguin, Tip from Crayola® and other costume characters help greet Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.
- Kaleidoscope's Holiday projects: Hallmark's Kaleidoscope is a FREE hands-on art center for children and they roll out the red carpet with fun holiday projects all season long. Visit www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com for a complete schedule.
- Hallmark Visitor's Center: Learn the history of Hallmark, visit J.C. Hall's famous Christmas tree collection, and make a souvenir bow for FREE! Visit www.hallmarkvisitorscenter.com for details.
- Why We LOVE It: For free and affordable family fun to kick off the holidays, there's no place like Crown Center!
Nettie Welles Dollhouse Day
- When, Where, What: Nettie Wells Dollhouse Day Nov. 25, 10:00 AM, Toy and Miniature Museum. FREE with the cost of admission. 816.333.9328 www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org
- Why we Love It: The Toy & Miniature Museum is one of our favorite family-friendly destinations in KC all year long, but this event is really special. Families will bond by taking a historical journey to meet Nettie Wells, a young girl from the 1800s whose parents taught her life values through play. November 25th marks the 134th birthday of Nettie Wells, a Kansas City girl raised in the 19th century. Nettie’s dollhouse, built by her father, resides at the museum and tells the story of Nettie’s life and how her mother taught her about the role of women and children during that time. The day features a child actor portraying Nettie, interactive gallery talks about the dollhouse, and a hands-on workshop where children and families can create their own dollhouse out of a cigar box.
Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony
- When, Where, What: Country Club Plaza Christmas Lighting Ceremony Thanksgiving Night. www.countryclubplaza.com
- Why We Love It: It all begins in September as workers begin installing thousands oflights. Then, in the middle of the night before Thanksgiving, they aresecretly tested to ensure every bulb is bright. On Thanksgiving Night,the magic begins as Kansas City’s “Nighttime Fairyland,” as it was knownin the 1930s, comes to life! The Lighting Ceremony features live music and FIREWORKS! Kansas City’s landmark Country Club Plaza, opened in 1922, is perhaps most famous for its Christmas Lights. The tradition began on Christmas Day, 1925, when Charles Pitrat, the maintenance supervisor for the Nichols Company, decorated the Mill Creek Building with a single strand of lights and a few small trees. Every year Pitrat added to the display, and now the Plaza boasts over 80 miles of lights. You can enjoy the Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights every evening through mid-January.
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